Overbite (Transformers)
Encyclopedia
Overbite is the name of four fictional character
s from the Transformers
series.
Targetmasters. He transforms into a shark-monster or alternately into a Double Barrelled Tidal Wave Maker which could be wielded by a larger Transformer like Piranacon. He could also become any limb of Piranacon.
Overbite was sold by himself in the U.S. as well as in a gift pack with the other seacons (except for Nautilator, who was only included with the Japanese gift set).
Overbite sees his life as an endless, obsessive quest for the next piece of prey, and will attack vessels for the fun of it. He is virtually unbeatable in underwater combat in his shark alternate mode, which also possesses legs for land operation and claws for manipulating objects. He is armed with a freeze-beam blaster and wields a corrosive jawbreaker cannon.
Overbite was named the 5th oddest thing that G1 Transformers transform into by Topless Robot.
Transformers animated series having come to a close the previous year, it fell to the comic book series from Marvel Comics
to provided supporting fiction roles for the Seacons. However, their comic book debut came not in the pages of the U.S. title, but in its sister across the Atlantic
, the U.K.
’s official Transformers comic, which interspliced its own stories with the U.S. material.
The Seacons were brought to Earth by Shockwave
to put their undersea adeptness to use fortifying the Decepticons’ sub-aquatic island headquarters. Outfitted with Earth modes by Shockwave, the Seacons were going about their task when they met with their first challenge, which also proved to be one of their greatest – they were ordered to defend the island against the insane, time-travelling future Decepticon, Galvatron
. The Seacons gave a good account of themselves, merging into Piranacon (misspelled “Pirranacon” in the story) for extra power, but ultimately, the team was defeated by their stronger adversary, only for Galvatron to reveal that he had not planned an attack at all, merely wishing to talk. Now, however, he claimed that Shockwave had made an enemy of him – although it was all part of a plan to destabilise his leadership. Seeking a weapon that could truly combat Galvatron, Shockwave sought out the former Decepticon leader, Megatron, who had been missing in action for some time. When what was believed to be his body (but was, in actuality, a clone of him) was located in the Thames
river by entrepreneur Richard Branson
, Overbite (called Jawbreaker in his UK appearances) was dispatched with some of the Decepticon jets to bring the body to Shockwave. Snaptrap subsequently repaired the clone’s physical damage, and aided Shockwave in using the psycho-probe to brainwash it into his service.
Following this, the Seacons made their US title debut, having departed from Shockwave’s service and now under the command of Ratbat
, the leader of the primary Earth-based Decepticon force. Ratbat had relocated the Decepticons’ island base to the Florida Keys
, disguising it as a holiday resort named “Club Con” to allow the Seacons to search the seabed for a sunken pirate ship, the treasure chest of which contained two Autobot tapes, Grandslam and Raindance
. The recovery mission was successful, but the tapes were then stolen by the Autobot Blaster, and the holidaymakers on the island had their peace and quiet rudely interrupted as the Seacons erupted from the ocean and attacked, searching for Blaster. In the ensuing battle, Blaster sent the tapes back to the depths of the oceans, encouraging the Seacons to call off the attack and head after them.
The tapes, it was revealed, were sent to Earth centuries ago to warn the Autobots there of the approaching threat posed by the Underbase, a massive space-born information storehouse that could convey infinite power. However, first Ratbat's forces had to deal with a rival group of Decepticons under Scorponok
, who had been called to Earth by Starscream, and the Seacons' combined mode of Piranacon was put to use in an attempt to destroy his ship. Conflict soon broke out between the two groups. Unfortunately the whole thing had been a ruse by Starscream, who managed to attain the Underbase’s power, turning on Autobot and Decepticon alike and attempting to conquer Earth. The Seacons joined in the attempted defence of New York
, striking at Starscream from the East River
, but were all deactivated by the cosmically-powered villain.
The Seacons did not appear again after this, but in the U.K. title, Megatron briefly sent his consciousness back in time to the Underbase affair and possessed Snaptrap, hoping to spare the Seacons their fate in the past so they could survive to bolster his forces in the present. His scheme was stopped by Prowl
.
Note: Overbite is called by the name Jawbreaker in some Marvel UK Transformers comics.
and later participated in many pivotal battles. Of particular note was the assault upon the Autobots’ base, during which they abandoned the Decepticon double agent Clouder
to die in the conflagration, encouraging him to switch sides when the Autobots saved him.
and the Transformers. Without Megatron or Shockwave's steadying influence the Decepticons had fallen apart in a series of internecine conflicts. One such was the Seacons taking on the Predacons. The Predacons seemingly had the upper hand, forcing Nautilator to flee into the water. The Seacons emerged as Piranacon and battled Predaking, until interrupted by a strange, tiny figure: Serpentor
, a human military cyborg
built with Megatron's memories. Using these memories to convince both combiners to join him, they then participate (along with the Stunticons) in the ambush that kills Bumblebee
. They were then Serpentor's principal weapon, along with Predaking and Menasor, in the attack on Capital City, where the three of them defeated Omega Supreme
. Several Predacons would die in the attack. Unfortunately Piranacon wouldn't have time to enjoy his victory, as he was deactivated by an out-of-control Sixshot
smashing into his face. The Seacons would survive, but Nautilator was killed when the G.I. Joe ninja Snake Eyes uses his mental powers to convince the Stunticon Breakdown to shoot him.
. At one point in the episode Explosive Situation the Predacon Darkscream refers insultingly to his fellow Predacon Sky-Byte
(who also transformed into a shark) as Overbite, a clear reference to the G1 Seacon.
.
It should be noted that early information about the Universe "Overbite with Repugnus" set appeared in April 2004 out of China, calling the set "Cybershark with Buzzclaw".
, but its release was delayed, and used in Transformers Classics
in a three pack called the Predator Attack Team. The other two members featured a tiger (Snarl) and an eagle (Dreadwing). Overbite transforms into a black wolf. The bio for Overbite described him as a vicious Decepticon sympathizer who sits on the Mini-Con Council of Sages. He hopes to trick Galvatron
into an ever escalating war with the Autobots that will leave the larger Transformers so weakened that the Mini-Cons can take over. His allies include the Mini-Cons Divebomb and Wideload
.
To Overbite's olfactory senses, there is nothing sweeter than the scent of fear. While he can track a target silently and remain unseen, if given the chance, he will give his quarry the briefest of glimpses, the subtlest of hints that he's on their trail so they start to panic. Once they're whipped up into a suitably paranoid state, he strikes. His attacks are merciless, brutal, and messy, and he will typically bring a couple choice pieces back as trophies. Sometimes he'll even take old parts out and play with them, which many of his fellow Mini-Cons think is sick, but Snarl thinks it's a hoot. Overbite is very protective of this macabre collection.
in defecting to the Decepticons.
.
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
s from the Transformers
Transformers
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another by magnetic coupling.Transformer may also refer to:* ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, an Android 3.2 Honeycomb tablet computer manufacturer by Asus...
series.
Transformers: Generation 1
Overbite is the name of one of the SeaconSeacon
Seacon may refer to:*The 19th World Science Fiction Convention, Seacon, held in Seattle, Washington, in 1961*The 37th World Science Fiction Convention, Seacon '79, held in Brighton, England, in 1979*Seacons, Transformers characters...
Targetmasters. He transforms into a shark-monster or alternately into a Double Barrelled Tidal Wave Maker which could be wielded by a larger Transformer like Piranacon. He could also become any limb of Piranacon.
Overbite was sold by himself in the U.S. as well as in a gift pack with the other seacons (except for Nautilator, who was only included with the Japanese gift set).
Overbite sees his life as an endless, obsessive quest for the next piece of prey, and will attack vessels for the fun of it. He is virtually unbeatable in underwater combat in his shark alternate mode, which also possesses legs for land operation and claws for manipulating objects. He is armed with a freeze-beam blaster and wields a corrosive jawbreaker cannon.
Overbite was named the 5th oddest thing that G1 Transformers transform into by Topless Robot.
Marvel Comics
With the U.S.United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Transformers animated series having come to a close the previous year, it fell to the comic book series from Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
to provided supporting fiction roles for the Seacons. However, their comic book debut came not in the pages of the U.S. title, but in its sister across the Atlantic
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
, the U.K.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
’s official Transformers comic, which interspliced its own stories with the U.S. material.
The Seacons were brought to Earth by Shockwave
Shockwave (Transformers)
Shockwave is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers series. Throughout his incarnations, he is usually distinguished by a laser cannon in lieu of one of his hands and his distinctive face, which is featureless save a single robotic eye...
to put their undersea adeptness to use fortifying the Decepticons’ sub-aquatic island headquarters. Outfitted with Earth modes by Shockwave, the Seacons were going about their task when they met with their first challenge, which also proved to be one of their greatest – they were ordered to defend the island against the insane, time-travelling future Decepticon, Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
. The Seacons gave a good account of themselves, merging into Piranacon (misspelled “Pirranacon” in the story) for extra power, but ultimately, the team was defeated by their stronger adversary, only for Galvatron to reveal that he had not planned an attack at all, merely wishing to talk. Now, however, he claimed that Shockwave had made an enemy of him – although it was all part of a plan to destabilise his leadership. Seeking a weapon that could truly combat Galvatron, Shockwave sought out the former Decepticon leader, Megatron, who had been missing in action for some time. When what was believed to be his body (but was, in actuality, a clone of him) was located in the Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
river by entrepreneur Richard Branson
Richard Branson
Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson is an English business magnate, best known for his Virgin Group of more than 400 companies....
, Overbite (called Jawbreaker in his UK appearances) was dispatched with some of the Decepticon jets to bring the body to Shockwave. Snaptrap subsequently repaired the clone’s physical damage, and aided Shockwave in using the psycho-probe to brainwash it into his service.
Following this, the Seacons made their US title debut, having departed from Shockwave’s service and now under the command of Ratbat
Ratbat
Ratbat is the name of several fictional characters who appeared in various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:As is the case with many Transformers characters, the various continuities in which Ratbat has appeared have portrayed him widely differently in terms of size, personality,...
, the leader of the primary Earth-based Decepticon force. Ratbat had relocated the Decepticons’ island base to the Florida Keys
Florida Keys
The Florida Keys are a coral archipelago in southeast United States. They begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula, about south of Miami, and extend in a gentle arc south-southwest and then westward to Key West, the westernmost of the inhabited islands, and on to the uninhabited Dry...
, disguising it as a holiday resort named “Club Con” to allow the Seacons to search the seabed for a sunken pirate ship, the treasure chest of which contained two Autobot tapes, Grandslam and Raindance
Raindance (Transformers)
Raindance is a character from the Transformers toy line and television series.-Transformers: Generation 1:He is an Autobot and part of the mini-cassette team. He has no robot mode, only a jet and cassette mode...
. The recovery mission was successful, but the tapes were then stolen by the Autobot Blaster, and the holidaymakers on the island had their peace and quiet rudely interrupted as the Seacons erupted from the ocean and attacked, searching for Blaster. In the ensuing battle, Blaster sent the tapes back to the depths of the oceans, encouraging the Seacons to call off the attack and head after them.
The tapes, it was revealed, were sent to Earth centuries ago to warn the Autobots there of the approaching threat posed by the Underbase, a massive space-born information storehouse that could convey infinite power. However, first Ratbat's forces had to deal with a rival group of Decepticons under Scorponok
Scorponok
Scorponok is the name shared by several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. All are Decepticons that turn into Scorpoins.- Transformers: Generation 1:...
, who had been called to Earth by Starscream, and the Seacons' combined mode of Piranacon was put to use in an attempt to destroy his ship. Conflict soon broke out between the two groups. Unfortunately the whole thing had been a ruse by Starscream, who managed to attain the Underbase’s power, turning on Autobot and Decepticon alike and attempting to conquer Earth. The Seacons joined in the attempted defence of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, striking at Starscream from the East River
East River
The East River is a tidal strait in New York City. It connects Upper New York Bay on its south end to Long Island Sound on its north end. It separates Long Island from the island of Manhattan and the Bronx on the North American mainland...
, but were all deactivated by the cosmically-powered villain.
The Seacons did not appear again after this, but in the U.K. title, Megatron briefly sent his consciousness back in time to the Underbase affair and possessed Snaptrap, hoping to spare the Seacons their fate in the past so they could survive to bolster his forces in the present. His scheme was stopped by Prowl
Prowl (Transformers)
Prowl is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers series. "Prowl" is one of the most re-used American names in the assorted Transformers series, and its use has become almost synonymous with Autobots who possess a police car alternate mode...
.
Note: Overbite is called by the name Jawbreaker in some Marvel UK Transformers comics.
Animated series
Although the Seacons were released too late in the toyline to make an appearance in the U.S. Transformers animated series, their Japanese counterparts made it to the small screen in 1988’s Japanese-exclusive series, Transformers: Super-God Masterforce. Here, the Seacons were notably different from their American selves – rather than each one of them being unique, entire legions of drones of the five smaller team members existed, lacking the power of speech or any true intelligent thought. Never transforming into robot mode (possibly not even possessing the ability), they operated under the command of various other Decepticons, acting as ground troops and cannon fodder during their numerous attacks on the Pretenders. In contrast, the Seacon leader, Turtler was indeed intelligent and capable of speech, but he too never transformed to robot mode. By combining with one of each of the Seacon drones, Turtler became King Poseidon, who was first dispatched to battle GinraiGinrai
Ginrai, occasionally spelled Jinrai and also known as both Super Ginrai and God Ginrai, and later rebuilt as Victory Leo, is a fictional character from the animated series Transformers: Super-God Masterforce and its toy line, one of the Transformers series exclusive to Japan...
and later participated in many pivotal battles. Of particular note was the assault upon the Autobots’ base, during which they abandoned the Decepticon double agent Clouder
Doubledealer
Doubledealer is a fictional character from the Transformers series. He is a Decepticon Powermaster who can disguise himself as an Autobot. He should not be confused with Doubleclouder.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
to die in the conflagration, encouraging him to switch sides when the Autobots saved him.
Devil's Due Publishing
The Seacons would return in the third Devil's Due crossover between G.I. JoeG.I. Joe (comics)
G.I. Joe has been the title of comic strips and comic books in every decade since 1942. As a licensed property by Hasbro, comics have been released from 1967 to present, with only two interruptions longer than a year . As a team fighting Cobra since 1982, the comic book history of G.I...
and the Transformers. Without Megatron or Shockwave's steadying influence the Decepticons had fallen apart in a series of internecine conflicts. One such was the Seacons taking on the Predacons. The Predacons seemingly had the upper hand, forcing Nautilator to flee into the water. The Seacons emerged as Piranacon and battled Predaking, until interrupted by a strange, tiny figure: Serpentor
Serpentor
Serpentor is a fictional character from G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, a line of military-themed toys created by Hasbro. The character was introduced in 1986 as a toy with an air chariot and included in the animated series that same year.-Toys:...
, a human military cyborg
Cyborg
A cyborg is a being with both biological and artificial parts. The term was coined in 1960 when Manfred Clynes and Nathan S. Kline used it in an article about the advantages of self-regulating human-machine systems in outer space. D. S...
built with Megatron's memories. Using these memories to convince both combiners to join him, they then participate (along with the Stunticons) in the ambush that kills Bumblebee
Bumblebee (Transformers)
Bumblebee is the name of several fictional characters from the various Transformers universes. In most incarnations, Bumblebee is a small, yellow Autobot with the altmode of a compact car.- Transformers: Generation 1 :...
. They were then Serpentor's principal weapon, along with Predaking and Menasor, in the attack on Capital City, where the three of them defeated Omega Supreme
Omega Supreme
Omega Supreme is the name of a fictional character from the Transformers franchise. He is always an Autobot and is often depicted as a gigantic transformer with vast strength and/or overwhelming firepower.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
. Several Predacons would die in the attack. Unfortunately Piranacon wouldn't have time to enjoy his victory, as he was deactivated by an out-of-control Sixshot
Sixshot
Sixshot is the name of two fictional characters from the various Transformers series. Introduced in 1987, Sixshot appeared in the last few episodes of the original US Transformers animated series, voiced by Neil Ross. His defining gimmick was that he had six different forms, not two like a normal...
smashing into his face. The Seacons would survive, but Nautilator was killed when the G.I. Joe ninja Snake Eyes uses his mental powers to convince the Stunticon Breakdown to shoot him.
Toys
- Generation 1 Overbite (1988)
- In 1998 Overbite was recolored into the Japanese exclusive PredaconPredacon (Transformers)The Predacons usually refer to the name of several fictional Decepticon-like teams led by Megatron, however Transformers: Armada, Predacon is the name of a single character.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
Sea Phantom.
- Timelines Overbite (2008)
- A redeco of Generation 1 Overbite, this toy and the other Seacons were Transformers Collectors Club exclusive.
- Transformers Commemorative Decepticon Piranacon (2010)
- A BigBadToyStore.com exclusive reissue of the original Overbite figure, along with the other Seacons.
Transformers: Robots in Disguise
Overbite would receive an unusual reference in the later show Transformers: Robots in DisguiseTransformers: Robots in Disguise
Transformers: Robots in Disguise, known in Japan as , is a Japanese anime television series and serves as a self-contained universe separate from any of the other existing Transformers universes...
. At one point in the episode Explosive Situation the Predacon Darkscream refers insultingly to his fellow Predacon Sky-Byte
Sky-Byte
Sky-Byte is the name of several fictional characters in the various Transformers universes. He is usually a Predacon who turns in a mechanical shark.-Transformers: Robots in Disguise:...
(who also transformed into a shark) as Overbite, a clear reference to the G1 Seacon.
Transformers: Universe
It has become commonplace in more modern Transformers toylines for certain figures to be designed as homages to characters from past series, or for existing toys to be repainted for this purpose also. Overbite was the name given to a slight repaint of Beast Wars Second Hellscream when it was made into a Decepticon and released in the Transformers: Universe line. He was packaged together with the Autobot RepugnusRepugnus
Repugnus is the name of three fictional characters from the Transformers series. The original Repugnus is an Autobot counter-intelligence expert who turns into a monster bug.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
.
It should be noted that early information about the Universe "Overbite with Repugnus" set appeared in April 2004 out of China, calling the set "Cybershark with Buzzclaw".
Transformers: Cybertron
Although never released, a Decepticon aligned Mini-Con named Overbite was initially intended to be released as part of the last wave of Mini-Con vs. sets alongside the Autobot Mini-Con SwoopSwoop (Transformers)
Swoop is the name of several fictional characters in the Transformers fictional series and toy line. He was first introduced in 1985 and was voiced by Michael Bell in the animated The Transformers series.-Transformers: Generation 1:...
, but its release was delayed, and used in Transformers Classics
Transformers Classics
Transformers Classics is a line of Transformers toys based on and resembling the first generation characters introduced in the 1980s. The toy line was created to fill the gap in Transformers product releases between the end of the Transformers: Cybertron series and the start of 2007 live-action...
in a three pack called the Predator Attack Team. The other two members featured a tiger (Snarl) and an eagle (Dreadwing). Overbite transforms into a black wolf. The bio for Overbite described him as a vicious Decepticon sympathizer who sits on the Mini-Con Council of Sages. He hopes to trick Galvatron
Galvatron
Galvatron is the name of several fictional Transformers, most often the recreated version of Megatron, the Decepticon leader. He was voiced by Leonard Nimoy in the 1986 Transformers movie, and then by Frank Welker in season 3 and 4 of the animated television series. Since then, other Transformers...
into an ever escalating war with the Autobots that will leave the larger Transformers so weakened that the Mini-Cons can take over. His allies include the Mini-Cons Divebomb and Wideload
Wideload (Transformers)
Wideload is the name of several different fictional characters in the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Toy Wideload is a member of the Throttlebot team; Wideload transforms into a dump truck...
.
Transformers: Classics
A new character named Overbite was released as part of the Transformers: Classics Mini-Cons. He is completely unrelated to the Generation 1 Overbite.To Overbite's olfactory senses, there is nothing sweeter than the scent of fear. While he can track a target silently and remain unseen, if given the chance, he will give his quarry the briefest of glimpses, the subtlest of hints that he's on their trail so they start to panic. Once they're whipped up into a suitably paranoid state, he strikes. His attacks are merciless, brutal, and messy, and he will typically bring a couple choice pieces back as trophies. Sometimes he'll even take old parts out and play with them, which many of his fellow Mini-Cons think is sick, but Snarl thinks it's a hoot. Overbite is very protective of this macabre collection.
Fun Publications
Overbits appeared in the text-based story "The New World." He was among the Mini-Cons who followed BroadsideBroadside (Transformers)
Broadside is the name of three fictional characters from the various Transformers universes.-Transformers: Generation 1:Broadside's bio presented him as literally getting the worst possible out of his alternate modes. He transforms into an Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, but gets seasick. He...
in defecting to the Decepticons.
Toys
- Classics Mini-Con Overbite
- Package with his partners. This toy was later redecoed into Shattered Glass Razorclaw and the Japanese exclusive Maximal Mini-Con Gredator.
Shattered Glass
An mirror-universe version of Overbite appeared in the Transformers: Timelines fiction. He combines with his fellow Seacons to form Piranacon.Fun Publications
Overbite appears in the 2008 April Fool's comic "Shattered Expectations" by Fun PublicationsFun Publications
Fun Publications is a publishing company that runs the Transformers Collectors Club and G.I. Joe Collectors Club under licensefrom Hasbro. Besides releasing comics, Fun Publications releases exclusive toys and runs conventions for their clubs....
.
External links
- Overbite at TFWIKI.Net, The Transformers Wiki
- http://www.tfu.info/1988/Decepticon/Overbite/overbite.htm - Fan page for G1 Overbite.
- http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/tf/1988/overbite.html - Fan page for G1 Overbite.
- http://www.cobraislandtoys.com/tf/2004/overbite-universe.html - Cobra Island Toys page for Universe Overbite.